Skip to main content

Thank you to the people in industry I have made a career of...

Recently I had decided to change my employer, so that I can focus on what I would like to do for the next 20 years (given that I'm 46 now, I think 66 would be a good time to slow down...but who knows how fast things will be moving in 2032?).

The Information Technology (or IT) world has provided me with an ample number of friends who I keep in touch with via Linked In. If you are not part of Linked In, I would recommend that you get a free account and try it.  I have found it very useful in keeping up with my work friends and people in the industry that I like to follow.  While most would say use Twitter to really follow someone, its hard to keep up with a twitter feed that everyone comments on (especially when that person has a large following).  By the way I do use twitter and can be found at https://twitter.com/DLibonati or @dlibonati . 

During my employment search, I had taken the advice of an article I read from the CEO of the The Ladders... How not to ask for a job.
In short it was about reconnecting with contacts you have made and  describing what you are doing now and what you are looking to do in the future.  The article peaked my interest so I save it for a "rainy day".  
About three week ago, I use the article's information to craft an email to my peers that I have networked with over the years from trade shows, customers, vendors and personal friends. The email went out to about 75 people. 64 of those people responded.  Of those 64, I have had several interviews both phone and in person.  I am currently going through the second and third round interviews at  4 different vendors and 3 different channel partners (one is the largest HP and Cisco VAR in the world.).  

I was touched by the number of responses that I received to that email.  The people that I reached out to were very glad to hear from me and had offered their help in any way they could.  It very heart warming to read and see. These were people that I don't see regularly wanting to help or provide a reference.

People have heard me say "the faces in this business don't change, just the business cards.". It really is true.  The people that I have networked with, have always been what I call my work family. I have working relationships with them, have done customer deals with them or they have been I client that I have consulted with.  These family members are from all verticals of business or peers I have worked.  The number of phone calls that I got from the email were ...well a little overwhelming but very appreciated. 

So to that end, I hope to be employed soon (should have my offer letters within the next week).  And I hope that someday I can help a work family member when they decided to change direction.

So long for now..but stay tuned...     

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

40th Reunion plans for the Freehold Township High School Class of 1984

LAST UPDATE Housekeeping and personal note. Thank you all for making this happen tonight.  This was a FTHS team effort.  While I know that some paid and wanted to attend. We all know that “life happens”.  I am certain that there will be photos and live streams being taken all night.  Those who do, please remember to post in the group for all to see. Did I tell you that it’s a “CASH BAR”? There is an ATM / cash machine HOWEVER…there is a wedding before and during our reunion.  So, I cannot guarantee the machine will not run out of cash.   Best to get some before the reunion. Personal Note The day is here and the hour is almost upon us.  40 years is a long time. Most of us are in our late fifties, and have done some incredibly amazing things in life.  Some are still local.  Some are scattered across our beautiful country and there’s even a classmate that came from Europe to be with us tonight. I would like to ask that during the night, you...

The kid from the country...makes it in IT.

As a kid growing up, I was a dreamer.  I would have these dreams of running the auto parts store that my grandparents built and become a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Or getting in to local politics.  Howell Twp. back then was a small town (even though its the largest town in Monmouth County, NJ).  I never dreamed that I would leave Howell.  Sure, I had been to other places, Florida for spring break, NYC and I still remember driving to Florida in my parents van to the Florida Keys with my cousins following us.  Why did I need to leave Howell?  My dreams were not that big.  I just wanted to be married and have a kid or two. I don't remember the exact moment, but there was definitely an epiphany that came to me.  It might have been when I was working at Pep Boys in the mid 80's or when I was working at the Headliner or Stony Pony as a bouncer.  The thought of "is this it?  Is this all that life has in store for me?" ...

Really... You don't have time to do it right, but you have time to do it twice??

Why is it that people in the service industry cannot seem to do there jobs or put any effort into doing things the right way?   Growing up a worked the counter at my grandparents auto parts store.  My grandparents and uncle were very instrumental in grooming my people skills.  And it wasn't easy for me, them or the customers I waited on, but I learned a great deal about interacting with the general public. I started that job ...no wait ... that course in my life very early...I was about 10 when I started waiting on customers.  Yes... 10 years old...( i hear the words child labor laws come out of your mouth...it wasn't like a was working a 40 hour work week...more like 35 hours). The store was a parts and repair facility, so I would work the parts counter and I would occasionally write up a service ticket. All the while I was learning how to speak to and deal with the general public.  I was also learning how to "do the right thing" and / or to "do the job t...